Liverpool must have a perfect record for the rest of the season, starting with Sunday’s trip to bitter rivals Manchester United, if they are to pip Arsenal and Manchester City to the Premier League title, manager Juergen Klopp has said.

Leaders Liverpool are two points clear of Arsenal and three ahead of City with eight games left in the season as Klopp looks to sign off with another trophy for the Anfield club following their league triumph in the 2019-20 campaign.

Liverpool lost the title by a point in 2021-22 and asked if they would have to be ‘perfect’ to be crowned champions, Klopp said: “That’s obviously how it is in the Premier League... So if it’s a tight race then the best place you can be is in it.

“We are in it and that’s cool, that’s good. And now let’s keep fighting, that’s how it is. Obviously the next one is the big one, like they all are.

“Somebody said we had the best fixture list or schedule. I looked at it and I really don’t know how you can have had that idea. Maybe I’m too negative but it’s a tough one, good opponents. But we are ready and we want to be in that fight.”

While the reverse fixture at Anfield ended in a 0-0 draw in December, Liverpool were beaten 4-3 by United in their FA Cup quarter final last month when the hosts prevailed in extra time.